Northview To Face Jay For District Title; Tate Softball To Play Niceville In District Final; Northview Softball Eliminated
April 28, 2021
BASEBALL
Northview 8, Baker 3
The Northview Chiefs defeated Baker 8-3 Tuesday afternoon in Jay.
Josh Landis pitched a complete game win for the Chiefs, giving up three runs on six hits, walking one and striking out two.
Bryce Korinchak and Rustin Pope went 2-3 for Northview. Kaen Odom, Jamarkus Jefferson and Luke Bridges each added a hit for for Northview.
“It was good, we started off a little slow,” Northview coach Jeremy Greenwell said. “But we did what we did the whole season…We expected to win, but it’s always a good feeling when you get the win.”
Northview (15-6) will face Jay (13-7) at 7 p.m. Thursday in Jay for the District 1-1A championship.
“Jay has a good team. They are a little more top heavy that we are with a few more upperclassmen,” Greenwell said. “We’re young, but we’re talented. I feel great. We are going to play relaxed and loose like w have the whole year. I’m excited for it.”
More game photos below.
For a photo gallery from Northview and Baker, click here.
Jay 10, Central 0
The Jay Royals defeated Central 10-0 Tuesday night.
Andrew Diamond pitched three innings for Tate, allowing one hit, no runs and striking out three. Carson Walters pitched two innings, giving up one hit, no runs and striking out four.
Cody Gavin, Carson Walters and Payton Jackson each had two hits for Jay. Elija Melvin, Diamond and Todd Macks each added one.
Jay (13-7) will face Northview (15-6) at 7 p.m. Thursday in Jay for the District 1-1A championship.
SOFTBALL
Paxton 3, Northview 2
Jay 13, Baker 0
Tate 5, Navarre 3
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated the Navarre Raiders Tuesday 5-3.
Abbie Burks pitched a complete game for Tate, giving up three runs and eight hits while walking one and striking out five.
Madison Holland and Christina Mason both went 2-3 and hit homers in the fourth inning for Tate. Courtney Lundquist, Cam Wolfenden, Kennedy Turner, Sophia Jones, and Michayla Kent had one hit each for the Aggies.
Tate will play Niceville for the District 1-6A title at 6:30 Thursday. Niceville defeated Crestview 14-0 Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Indicted, One Wanted For Murder Of Teen Whose Body Was Found In Blackwater State Forest
April 28, 2021
An 18-year old man was indicted Tuesday for the murder of a 14-year old whose body was found March 28 in the Blackwater State Forest near Munson. Meanwhile, a second suspect remains on the run.
Isaiah Jordan McCullers, 18, was indicted for first degree murder. He is being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond. Isaac Cameron Daniels, 19, is wanted on an outstanding warrant for first degree murder during the commission of a robbery
The remains were identified as Cody Walker of Pace. He was last seen on March 14 and reported missing on March 19. Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said evidence indicates he died the morning of March 15. His remains were found in a wooded area off Sandy Forest Road, south of the intersection of Highway 4 and Munson Highway.
State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden said McCullers and Daniels, if convicted, will face a sentence of life without parole or a death sentence.
Thursday morning, Johnson said he could not release a motive or the circumstances around the murder until the second arrest is made and the investigation is complete.
Anyone with information is asked to call Santa Rosa Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Attempted Murder Suspect Leads High Speed Chase Across Two States
April 27, 2021
An double attempted murder suspect led law enforcement on a high speed chase across multiple counties in Florida and Alabama Tuesday afternoon before wrecking on an Alabama interstate.
The suspect was identified as 28-year old Scottie Dale Robinson of Atmore.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office pursued a silver Lexus believed to be occupied by Robinson northbound on Highway 29 from the Cantonment to Highway 97. The pursuit continued north of Atmore toward Monroe County, Alabama. Alabama State Troopers became involved in the chase, and the suspect vehicle wrecked on I-65 near the 87 mile marker, about six miles south of the Highway 84 Evergreen exit.
Robinson was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Scottie Robinson is facing attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting his brother, 33-year old Gregory Lavon Robinson, and 19-year old Oneius Cotz White on Sunday in Atmore.
Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said Gregory Robinson arrived at Atmore Community Hospital with gunshot wounds about 10:45 Sunday night. He was airlifted to an undisclosed hospital.
Brooks said police determined the shooting occurred after a disturbance at a residence near the 100 block of 6th Avenue. Officers responded and found White suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital and then also airlifted to another hospital.
Further details will be posted as released.
During the chase, schools including Tate High School were placed on lockdown or another precautionary status.
Mugshot is from a previous arrest in 2019.
Pictured: An attempted murder suspect crashed on I-65 near Evergreen, Alabama, Tuesday afternoon following a chase that began in Escambia County, Florida. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wanted Molino Man Arrested On Multiple Felony Warrants
April 27, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has captured a Molino man wanted on multiple charges.
Hunter Grant Myrick, age 31 or Ayer Street in Molino, was captured Tuesday morning at a residence in the area of Molino Road and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Last week, NorthEscambia.com reported that the ECSO said he was wanted on two counts of failure to appear, grand theft of a vehicle, two counts of fleeing and eluding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, kidnapping and driving while license suspended as a habitual offender.
Myrick was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants when deputies spotted him on April 20, but he fled, according to the ECSO. During the incident, he refused to stop and let a female out of the vehicle, leading to the kidnapping charge, ECSO spokesperson Amber Southard said.
West Florida Library Board Meets In Century In Apparent Sunshine Law Violation
April 27, 2021
The West Florida Public Libraries (WFPL) Board of Governance held a meeting in Century Monday afternoon in apparent violation of Florida’s Sunshine Laws.
The meeting was held at the Century Branch Library beginning after 4 p.m. Two legal notices for the meeting, published by Escambia County April 17 and April 24 in the Pensacola News Journal, stated the meeting would be held at 4 p.m. on April 26 at 239 North Spring Street — the address of the Main Library downtown. The meeting was not in Escambia County’s website list of public meetings for April, and it was not posted on the West Florida Libraries website, which stated “There are no upcoming events at this time”. An Escambia County news release “BCC Weekly Meeting Schedule April 26 — April 30, 2021″ listed the meeting as being downtown.
County Attorney said Monday night that she will investigate.
Florida’s Sunshine Law requires that adequate public notice be given for public meetings, including time and the correct location.
NorthEscambia.com learned Monday afternoon that the meeting was actually underway in Century.
Shortly after our arrival at the meeting about 5:15 p.m., WFPL Director Todd Humble paused board discussion to recognize that we had arrived, and NorthEscambia.com raised concerns that the meeting was in violation of the Sunshine Law. Board member Robin Reshard told Humble that our comments could wait.
The board continued discussion about policies and procedures for about 10 more minutes before Humble returned focus to our concerns. He said the correct information was sent to the county, and the county’s Community and Media Relations (CMR) Department had advertised the wrong location.
“We were not trying to hide anything here,” Humble said. “I know the county website thing, that’s 100% on the county because they were given the agenda stuff specifically.”
“I am going to call the person that’s over the CMR office, because this mistake is not acceptable,” he said. He then tried to place calls to someone at CMR and the county attorney’s office, but no one answered.
The board then launched discussion if the meeting would in fact violate the Sunshine Law, as Humble had advised them multiple times that it would due to the improper location in the legal advertisement. In the meantime, an unsuccessful attempt was made to find a copy the PNJ advertisement, and discussion continued among board members about rescheduling the meeting and the location of future meetings.
After the board adjourned about 5:45 p.m., board members remained for snacks that had been provided — doughnuts, pretzel chips, guacamole, sodas and other items. Much of the chatter was about roses and other non-library business, but at least two members had a nearly inaudible discussion concerning the board until interrupted by Humble. By about 6 p.m. board members had all cleared the library.
Two members — Bryant and Reshard — were seen still talking in the parking lot after 6:30.
It should be noted that the Sunshine Law does not prevent board members from speaking to each other in ordinary conversation outside a meeting.
“Members of a public board or commission are not prohibited under the Sunshine Law from meeting together socially, provided that matters which may come before the board or commission are not discussed at such gatherings,” the 2021 Florida Government in the Sunshine Manual states.
However, any discussion that might take place between board members during the refreshments, or in the parking lot, would be a violation of Florida law if it concerned library business.
“Accordingly, the law is applicable to any gathering, whether formal or casual, of two or more members of the same board or commission to discuss some matter on which foreseeable action will be taken by the public board or commission,” the Sunshine Manual states.
Other than NorthEscambia.com, no one from the public attended the library board meeting Monday in Century.
Humble said the library board’s next meeting in May would be scheduled for Century and would be properly advertised.
Editor’s note: The West Florida Library System is a function of Escambia County, as is the Century Branch Library. The Town of Century has no control of the Century Branch Library and no member on the five-member library board. Three library board members are appointed by the Escambia County Commission. One is appointed by the Pensacola City Council, and one is appointed by the mayor of Pensacola.
Pictured top: West Florida Public Libraries Director Todd Humble (far left), and Board of Governance members (L-R) Robin Reshard, Grace Buenatista, and Bradley Vinson during a meeting Monday afternoon at the Century Branch Library. Pictured inset: Humble attempts to call someone from Escambia County Community and Media Relations. Board member Dr. Laura Bryant is seen in the background. Pictured below: Reshard and Bryant remained the Century Branch Library parking lot at 6:33 p.m. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Beulah Middle School Kids Have Named Their (Goat) Kids. Meet…
April 27, 2021
Those absolutely super adorable goats born a couple of weeks ago at Beulah Middle School now have names picked by the students.
Through the school-wide vote using change, $147.94 was raised for the animals and two names were chosen.
Meet Nugget, the black and white cutie pictured on the left, and Hazel pictured on the right.
(For more news about the goats, and we must warn you that it’s very sad and may not be kid friendly, scroll down below the photos.)
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
There actually three goats born two weeks ago at Beulah Middle School. Sadly, the third goat did not survive.
Cyber Tip Lead To Search Warrant, Arrest For Child Porn
April 27, 2021
A tip line report led to the arrest of an Escambia County man on child pornography charges.
Fallon Matthew Coburger, age 46 of Ridge Road, was charged with 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after receiving a CyberTipline lead from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding an internet user uploading child sexual abuse material.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, SWAT., Crime Scene Unit and ECSO Cadets, with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations served a search warrant in the 700 block of Ridge Road, in the area of East 10 Mile Road and Chemstrand Road.
They found images depicting children as young as four-years old engaged in sexual acts, according to the ECSO. Coburger was arrested by ECSO’s lead investigator, Jeremy Horn.
Coburger remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $300,000.
Two Escambia County, Alabama, Men Charged In Downtown Pensacola Shooting
April 27, 2021
Two Escambia County, Alabama, men have been charged in connection with a shots fired incident about 2 a.m. Saturday in front of a downtown Pensacola restaurant.
Nicholas Devon Hudson, 27, of Atmore was arrested at the scene and charged with discharging a firearm in a public place, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting an officer. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,000 bond.
Robert Willis McCaskill, 51, of Brewton, fled and was arrested Monday in Escambia County, Alabama, and will be extradited to Escambia County, Florida, to face charges of aggravated assault, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and criminal mischief.
Pensacola Police said McCaskill was inside his vehicle when he shot at Hudson as he walked in front of the Jordan Valley Restaurant. Hudson returned fire, according to PPD.
The restaurant was hit by the gunfire, damaging the front door. There were no injuries reported.
According to reports, the incident was witnessed by a
Pictured above: Suspects Nicholas Hudson (left) and Robert Willis McCaskill.
Travis Nelson Park In Bratt Remains Open As Parking Lot Is Paved
April 27, 2021
The Travis Nelson Park in Bratt remains open as work is underway to pave the parking lot.
Park visitors can park alongside Bratt Road to access the park during the construction.
Travis Nelson Park is named for fallen U.S. Marine LCpl Travis M. Nelson. The Escambia County park is at the corner of West Highway 4 and Bratt Road, just west of Northview High School
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Traffic Alert: New Pedestrian Crosswalk, Signal Installed On Ninth Avenue
April 27, 2021
A new pedestrian crosswalk and signal has been installed on Ninth Avenue, just south of Springhill Drive. Pedestrians will be allowed to safely cross Ninth Avenue on the south side of the Carpenters Creek Bridge. Pedestrians can continue to cross Ninth Avenue on the north side of the bridge at Bayou Boulevard.
The travel lanes on Ninth Avenue over the Carpenters Creek Bridge were shifted to the eastern portion of the structure earlier this week. This traffic configuration is expected to be in place until later this year.
Ninth Avenue is the focus of a $4.3 million construction project that is replacing the existing bridge over Carpenters Creek. Construction crews will also resurface the roadway between Royce Street and Bayou Boulevard, along with a portion of Carpenters Creek Drive. The project is estimated for completion in mid-2022.